HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4775, by Representatives Linville, Quall, Reardon, Cooper, Ericksen, Morris, Koster, Lambert, Buck, Fisher, Stensen, Rockefeller, Haigh, Kenney, Benson, Thomas, Wensman, Pflug, Dunn and Barlean

       WHEREAS, A tragic gasoline-pipeline leak and explosion last summer claimed the lives of two boys and a young man who were playing and fishing in Whatcom Falls Park in Bellingham; and

       WHEREAS, Four other young people -- Jereme Bounds, Tyrome Francisco, Andrew Tsiorvas, and Akilah Williams -- put aside their own fear, safety, and comfort to do everything they possibly could to help the two boys who were victims of the nightmarish pipeline explosion; and

       WHEREAS, In rightful commemoration of their fearless, quick-minded actions, Jereme, Tyrome, Andrew, and Akilah are all very deserving recipients of the prestigious 1999 Youth Good Samaritan Special Group Award; and

       WHEREAS, This Good Samaritan recognition, which is sponsored by Puget Sound Energy and Western Washington University, salutes the spirit, bravery, and determination of these four friends, including Andrew, whose younger brother was one of the lives lost in the tragedy; and

       WHEREAS, For their tremendous courage, these four wonderful friends were also very appropriately praised at the 1999 Real Heroes Breakfast sponsored by the American Red Cross; and

       WHEREAS, Immediately following the pipeline explosion, the four friends knew what had to be done -- Jereme, Tyrome, and Andrew searching the creek area near which the two boys had been playing, and Akilah keeping the situation calm in her parents' home where the friends, like that day, so often gather; and

       WHEREAS, Their heart and their heroism in the face of indescribable horror stand as authentic testament to the power of one's unflagging fidelity to one's family, one's friends, and one's community;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington honor and commend the moving courage and the inspiring presence of mind of four of Washington's very finest -- Jereme Bounds, Tyrome Francisco, Andrew Tsiorvas, and Akilah Williams; and

       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the families of these four very special young people.

       I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

       Resolution 4775 adopted by the House of Representatives

                           March 2, 2000.

________________________________       _____________________________

Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk    Cynthia Zehnder, Co-Chief Clerk